Defibrating-machine.



J. A. ALLEN.

DEFIBRATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED no.2, 1912.

Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

aw QEQAH WITNESSES: 2%

A TTORNEY COLUMBIA PLANcmnAPH c0.. WASHINGTON, 0. c.

J. A. ALLEN.

DEFIBRATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1130.2, 1912.

1,076,092. Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W 4-LL y n 4 I I a ATTORNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

J. A. ALLEN.

DEFIBRATING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED'DEOJI, 1912.

1,076,092, Patented 0011.21, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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1: I I\ I I o o l 1 I N :l .0 v; ii n I I I n H i N a 'I'- N 11 N H l| a o.

o l' o x WITNESSES. S INVE IVTOR COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 0:0..WASHINHT0N, D. c.

J. A. ALLEN.

DEFIBRATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED no.2, 1912.

Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

CPLIJMBIA PLANOnlAPl-l CDnWASI'IINflTDN. D. C.

J. A. ALLEN.

DBPIBRATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1320.2, 1912.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WITNESSES:

A TTOBNEY COLUMBI A PuNoaRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

J. A. ALLEN.

DEFIBRATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1230.2, 1912.

1,076,092, 7 Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

10 SHEETB-SHEET 6.

/96 A98 WITNESSES: mum/um COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH CO-AVASHINGTDN D. C.

J. A. ALLEN.

DEFIBRATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.2 1912. 1,076,092.

10 BHEETBSHEET 7.

WITNESSES: l/VVE/VTOR @W W W B) ATTORNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0,,WASHINGTON. D- c.

Patented 001;. 21, 1913.

J. A. ALLEN.

DEPIBRATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED no.2, 1912.

Patented 0015; 21, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

WiTNESSES: INVENTOR J. A. ALLEN.

DEFIBR'ATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1120.2, 1912.

1,076,092. Patented 001;. 21, 1913.

10 SHEETB$HEET 9.

WITNESSES.

INVENTOR W .mww

BY A

A TTORIVEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPM CO..\VASHINOTON. n. c. Q

J. A. ALLEN.

DEFIBRATING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 2', 1912.

1,076,092. 7 Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

WITNESSES: I/V l E IV TOR iw; 4% W By W ATTORNEY COLUMBI A PLANOGRAPH {JO-,WASHINGTON, D c.

tinrrnn Ans earn onto.

JOHN A. ALLEN, or new YORK, N. Y., essrsivon TO ARTHUR YORK, N. Y.

DEFIBRATING-MAGHINE.

in defibrating machines, particularly thosedesigned to clean the fiber of the tropicalv abaca.

One of the objects of the present lnvention is the production of an organized machine including the combination with a traveling feed device subdivided and arranged tosupport and advance a plurality of sets of stalks the butts of each set being in transverse alinement, of a stripping mechanism, and

operating connections whereby the sets of stalks are successively presented to the stripping mechanism. 7

Another object is the production of a machine of the character referred to in which the stalk is crushed and shredded before the stripping operation begins.

Still another object is the production of an improved feed device for machines of the above character.

Still another object is the production of an improved stripping mechanism for machines of the character referred to and in which the stalk is seized by co-acting belts and forwarded thereby during the stripping operation.

Still another object is the production of a machine of the general character above referred to which has a plurality of stripping mechanisms arranged in tandem and progressively decreasing in speed as the stalks are forwarded through said mechanisms so that excessive tension upon the fibers is avoided.

l/Vith these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain constructions, combinations and parts which will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically pointedout in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in Specification of Letters Patent.

1P. OBRIEN, OF NEW Patented Got. 21,1913.

Application filed December 2, 1912.' Serial No. 734,519.

which like characters ofreference indicate the same or like parts, Figures 1 and 2 are respectively plan and side elevations of the feed end of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively plan and side elevationsof the middle sectionof the machine partly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively plan and-side elevations of the delivery end of the machinepartly illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively plan and side elevations of an automatic feed device cooperating with the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, this feed device being broken away from Figs. 1 and 2. Figs. 9 and 10 are transverse sectional views taken on the lines 9-9 and 1010 in Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 1111 in Fig. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 12. in Fig. l but upon an enlarged scale. Fig. 13 is a detail view of a retarding device used in connection with the stripping mecha nism but shown on an enlarged scale. Fig. 1a is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 14in Fig. 1, but shown on an en larged scale. Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, but shows certain of the parts in different positions and the scale is also different. Fig. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 16 in Fig. 1, but shown on an enlarged scale. Fig. 17 is a view on the same line as Fig. 16, but showing the parts in difierent positions. Fig. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 18 in Figs. 3 and 5, but shown on an enlarged scale.

In the best constructions for carrying the invention into effect there is provided a traveling device subdivided and arranged to support and advance a plurality of sets of stalks, the butts of each set lying side by side in transverse alinement, a crushing mechanism, a shredding mechanism, one or more stripping mechanisms, and operating connections wherebv the sets of stalks are successively presented to the crushing mechanism and then to the shredding mechanism and then to the stripping mechanism and finally delivered from the machine. All of these devices and mechanisms may be varied in construction within wide limits.

In the device selected to illustrate the invention and which is to be understood as merely one of many embodiments of the invention, l and 2 indicate generally side frames for supporting the various mechanisms of the machine.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8, 3 indicates a shaft located at the extreme right of the main machine and journaled in pillow blocks 4 bolted or otherwise secured to sub-frames 5 suitably supported by the side frames 1 and 2 before referred to and intermediate frame elements. The shaft 3 carries a pair of sprockets 6 over which run chains 7. These chains 7 also run over sprockets 8 fixed upon a shaft 9, which shaft is journaled in boxes 10 mounted in suitable slideways 11. These slideways are mounted upon a wooden structure 12 which is adapted to rest upon the ground or floor. The chains may be tightened by means of adjusting screws 13 of well-known construction. When the machine is to be used in the field and running to its full capacity, these chains are about 150 feet in length so that the shafts 3 and 9 are approximately 75 feet apart. To prevent sagging of the chains between the shafts 3 and 9 there is provided one or more standards 14 upon which is the shaft 15 carrying a pair of sprockets 16 engaging and support ing the upper run of the chains. The standard 14 also serves to support the shaft 17 upon which is mounted wheels 18 which are adapted to prevent the lower runs of the chains from sagging to any disadvantageous degree. It is to be understood that the sprockets 16 and wheels 18 run as idlers and have no part in the driving of the chains. Since the general construction of idlers of this character and their mounts are well known in many arts, a more detailed description of this part of the device is omitted in the interest of brevity. The chains 7 oper ate to drive a belt which is provided and arranged to support and advance a plurality of sets of stalks the butts of each set being in transverse alinement. The belt shown in Figs. 7 and 8 comprises a plurality of sections 19, each section being secured between an angle iron 20 and a plate 21 by means of a series of belts or rivets 22. The plates 21 are riveted or otherwise secured to the chains 7 The angle irons 20, one for each belt section, are located about 22 feet apart and the belt sections are of a width so that several stalks may be placed side by side upon any one belt section and lie wholly between adjacent angle irons with their butt ends touching the angle iron of that section. Obviously, when the stalks are so placed upon the belt sections they will be advanced by the belt with their butt ends in transverse alinement. The belt sec tions 19 run over drums l9 and 19 respectively fixed upon the shafts 3 and 9. Means are provided for adjusting adjacent belt sections to take up any stretch which may occur in same and this means consists of a series of lacings 23 connecting adjacent belt sections.

The feed device comprising the chains 7 and the belt sections 19 is continuously moving in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 8 and the length of the feed device as a whole is suflicient as to permit three complete sets of stalks to lie upon the belt at one time. It will be readily understood that the construction is such that a plurality of operatives may be engaged at one time in placing stalks upon the belt as it moves forward.

Mounted upon the shaft 3 is a third sprocket 24 over which runs a driving chain 25 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 1-2). This chain also runs over a sprocket 26 mounted upon a shaft 27 suitably journaled in the frame of the machine. This shaft 27 carries a drum 28 which cooperates with a similar drum marked 29 located over the drum 28. This drum 29 is mounted upon a shaft 30, which shaft is mounted in journaled boxes 31 movably supported in brackets 32 suitably sup ported by the frame of the machine. The journaled boxes 31 are normally held in position to bring the drum 29 into contactwith the drum 28 by means of springs 33 and bolts 34 of well-known construction. The meeting line of the drums 28 and 29 lies in the path of stalks advanced by the feed device. As any particular set of stalks reaches the delivery end of the feed device it is projected into the range of action of the drums 28 and 29 which seize the forward end of each stalk of the set and advances it still farther. As the butts of the stalks enter between the drums 28 and 29, the drum 29 is forced upward against the action of the springs 33 and a crushing operation at once begins and is continued as long as any part of the stalk remains between the two drums mentioned. The shaft 27 is provided with a sprocket 35 over which runs a chain 36, which chain also runs over a sprocket 87 mounted upon a countershaft 38 suitably journaled in the frame of the machine. This countershaft 38 is driven by a pair of chains 39 which run over sprockets 40 carried by the shaft 38 and which are the main operating chains of the machine. The shaft 30 is provided with a sprocket 41 over which runs a chain 42 which derives its motion from a sprocket 43 mounted upon a shaft 44 which will be hereinafter more fully described. It will further be readily understood that the drums 28 and 29 cooperate not only to forward the stalks after they leave the feed device but to crush the same,

44 before referred to.

-' are slid along the same by the forwarding action of the crushing drums 28 and '29. This table is suitably supported by angle irons 46 from the main frame of the machine. The extreme forward end of the table 45 lies immediately under a drum 47 (see Figs.*1 14 and 15). This drum 47 is mounted upon and rotated by the shaft The shaft 44 is mounted in slide boxes v48 arranged to slide vertically in suitable brackets 49 bolted to the machine frame. Each of these boxes is normally held in its uppermost position by means of two springs 50, each surrounding a stud 51, said stud beingscrewed into the boxes and their upper ends being provided with a thread upon which nuts 52 are fitted for the purpose of adjusting the tension of the springs in a well-known manner. Near one end of the shaft 44 is fixed a sprocket 53 over which runs a chain 54, which chain also runs over a sprocket 55 fixed upon a rotating shaft 56 from which it derives its motion. The drum 47 1s normally spaced from the table 45 so that the butts of a set of stalks advancing through the machine can pass under the drum.

It sometimes happens in the operation of a machine that the butts of. the stalks forming a set advanced by the feed device are not in accurate alinement, due to carelessness in placing the stalks upon the feed belt or a misplacement during the advancing action of the same. There is further provided a stop operative in conjunction with the table 45 which brings the butts in alinement under the drum 47. This stop includes a bar 57 extending across the machine at the delivery end of the table 45. This bar is carried by a pair of swinging arms 58 pivoted at 59 to brackets 60 suitably supported by the machine frame. The bar 57 is normally held in contact with the drum 47, thus closing the passage between it and the table 45 by means of cables 61 passing over pulleys 62 which are mounted upon the idle shaft 63 extending across the machineand suitably supported in bearings carried by brackets 64 rising from the frame of the machine. The free ends of the cables are provided with weights 65 which may be increased or decreased 1n number or size as desired.

Mechanism is provided for swinging the bar stop 57 downward so that the butts of the stalks lying between the table 45 and the drum 47 may be advanced by the action of the drum. This means also serves to lower the drum 47 against the action of the spring 50* until it contacts with the stalk butts lythem along 1 said table.

ing on the table 45 and operates to advance With this end in view, there is provided a rock shaft 66 suitably supported in brackets 67 bolted to the side frames of the machine. Upon this rock shaft 66 is fixed a pair of arms 68, one upon either side of the machine and close to the operating chains 39. The upper ends of each of these arms 68 are provided with plates 69 adapted to be engaged by hooks 70 carried by the operating chains 39. The hooks 7 0 come into engagement with the plates 69 when they occupy the position shown in Fig. 14 and slip out of engagement with the same when the arms 68 have reached the position shown in Fig. 15. The shaft 66 is further provided with arms 71, one located on either side of the machine. These arms are pivoted at 72 to a twopart connecting rod 7 3-74. The two parts of these connecting rods 7 3,74 are held together by means of a bolt 7 5 and spring 76. The bolt passingthrough flangesv 77. and 78 respectively formed on the connecting rod parts 7 3 and 74. The object of this connection is to prevent breakage of the connecting rod or connected parts in the event of any unyielding substance getting between the table 45 and the drum 47, in which event the two parts of the con necting rod would separate against the ac-i tion of the spring 76. The upper part of each of the connecting rods 7374 is in the form of a'threaded rod and fixed upon this threaded rod is a bearing 79 in which the shaft 44 is journaled. Adjacent this bear; ing is a second bearing 80 in which is threaded-a forked rod 81 pivoted at 82 to a lever 83. This lever 83 is fulcrumed at 84 to a bracket 85 bolted to the frame of the machine. The free end of the lever 83 is pivoted at 86 to a link 87 carrying at its upper end a pin 88, which pin engages a slot 89 formed in the lever 58 before referred to.

By an inspection of Figs. 14 and 15 it will be readily understood that when the rock shaft 66 is rotated by the arms 68, the shaft 44 and drum 47 will be brought down against the action of the springs 50 into contact with stalks lying upon the table 45 and that through the connection of the forked connecting rod 81 with the lever 88 and the connection of the link 87 to the arms 58 carrying the stop bar 57, the latter will. he swung downward out of the pathv of movelent of the stalks sothat the stalks may be advanced along the table 45 by the drum 47.

As the stalks are advanced by the act-ion of the drum 47 they pass through a guide series of shredding knives 91 bolted to an angle bar 92 extending across the machine. This bar is supported by arms 93, one on either side of the machine, and which are pivoted upon a bar 94 supported by brackets 95 bolted to the frame of the machine. While the butts of the stalks are passing the knives 91, said knives must be out of the path of movementof the stalks. To this end each of the arms 93 is pivotally connected at 96 to one end of an adjustable connecting link 97 the other end of the connecting link is pivoted at 98 to an arm 99 which is fixed upon a rock shaft 100 suitably journaled in brackets 101 bolted to the main frame of the machine. The shaft 100 is further provided with an arm 102, the free end of which is pivoted to one end of a connecting link 103. The other end of the connecting link 103 is pivoted to an arm 104, which arm is fast upon the rock shaft 66 before referred to. By this construction it will be readily understood that when the drum 4? is moved downward from the position shown in Fig. 14: to the position shown in Fig. 15, the shredding knives 91 will be moved up ward from the position shown in Fig. 14: to the position shown in 15, where they are out of the path of movement of the ad vancing stalk butt. Mounted upon the top of the guide chute 90 are two brackets 105. Pivot-ed to the upper ends of each of these brackets is an angle arm 106, the lower end of which carries an angle bar 107 resting against the shredding knives 91. By an inspection of Figs. 1a and 15, it will be readily understood that the angle bar 107 is not lifted when the shredding knives 91 are lifted but merely swings in by its own motion during the upward movement of the shredding knives 91, remaining in contact therewith and scraping off any fibrous or pulpy matter which may have adhered to the shredding knives during the preceding shredding operation. The shaft 100 further carries an arm 108 which swings downward into contact with the roller 109 when the shredding knives are lifted. This roller is carried upon the end of an arm 110 fast on a shaft 112. This shaft also carries a pair of arms 111. Arm 110 is held in position as shown in Fig. 14: by means of a fork 113 which is provided with an integral bolt 11 1 extending through. a suitable aperture in a plate 115 forming a part of the machine intense frame. The bolt 114 carries a spring 119,

the tension of which may be adjusted by means of the nuts 117 threaded on the bolt. The upper end of each of the arms 111 carries a plate 118 adapted to be engaged by acting belts 119 and 120, the shredding knives come into operation. By an inspection of Fig. 15, it will be readily understood that the mechanism used to throw the drum 417 into action and the shredding knives 91 out of the path of movement of the stalk, includes members 97, 99 operating as toggles so that the parts remain in the position in which they are thrown and in which they are shown in Fig. 15 until the hooks which first operated the arms 68 travel along and operate the arms 110 and 111. At this latter time; that is to say, when the arms 110 and 111 are operated by the hooks 70, the action of the toggle is broken, the drum 17 is moved upward by the springs 50 and the shredding knives 91 move downward by gravity and engage the stalk. During this action the stop bar 57 remains in the position shown in 15 because it is held by the stalk overlying it. During the upward movement of the drum 47 the pin 88 slides in the slot 89 formed in the operating arm 58 of the stop bar. it will be readily understood that as soon as the rear end of the stalk has passed the stop bar 57, the weight 65 will bring it to its normal position or that shown in Fig. 141-.

The belt 119 runs over a pulley 121 mounted upon a shaft 122, which shaft is journaled in bearings 128 bolted to the frame of the machine. The belt 119 also runs over an idle shaft 124: (see Fig.16) which is journaled in a bearing 125 suitably bolted to the machine frame. The belt 120 runs over a pulley 126 which is located immediately over the pulley 121. This pulley 126 is fast upon the shaft 56 before referred to. This shaft rotates in journal boxes 127, one on either side of the machine and slidable in brackets 128 which brackets are bolted. to the frame of the machine. The journal boxes 127 are normally held in their lowermost position by means of springs 129, bolts 130 and adjusting nuts 131, all of well.- known construction. It will be readily recognized that when a. stalk butt is introduced between the belts 11.9 and 120 at the meeting point of the pulleys 121 and 126, the upper pulley 126 will be moved upwardly against the action of the springs 129 by the stalk itself, and that after the butt of the stalk has been seized by the pulleys 121 and 126 runs of the belts.- The belt 120 also runs over an idle shaft 132 which shaft turns in journal boxes 133. These journal boxes are slidably mounted in brackets 134 bolted to an angle bridge 135extending across the machine and forming a part of the main frame. The journal boxes 133 are normally held in their lowermost position by means of springs 136, bolts 137 and adjusting nuts 138, all of well-known construction. It will be readily understood that when a stalk butt being advanced between the adjacent runs of the belts 119 and 120 reaches the idle shafts 124-and 132, the shaft 132will yield upwardly to permit the passage of the butt between said shafts. Means are provided for tightening the belts; this means includes a pair of vertical frames 139 bolted to the plates 140 and 115 extending across the machine and forming a part of the main frame. In the lower part of the frame 139 is mounted a journal box 142 and in this journal box is journaled an idle shaft 143. Thojournal box 142 is guided by the uprights of the frame 139 and may be adjusted toward the adjacent runs of the belts 119 and 120 by means of bolts 144. Similarly the upper part of the frame 139.

supports a journal box 145 in which is journaled an idle shaftf146. This idle shaft may be adjusted toward the adjacent runs of the belts 119 and 120 by means of bolts 147. It is of course to be understood that this adjustin means is of a well-known character. The. shaft 56 carries asprocket 148 over which runsa chain 149. This chain also runs over a sprocket 150 fixed upon a .short shaft 151. This shaft is journaled in bearings 152 and 153 supported on the frame of the machine and carries a second sprocket 154 which is in mesh with one ofthe main operating chains 39 before referred to. Upon the opposite side of the machine is a similar short shaft mounted in bearings 155 and 156, this shaft carrying a sprocket 157 which sprocket is in mesh with the other main operating chain39. The main operating chains 39 of the machine run continuously and it will therefore be readily under- I stood that by the connections just described a continuousforward movement of the adjacent runs of the belts 119 and 120 is effected.

vhen the butts of a set of stalks'have reached the idle shafts 124 and 132, they are projected into the range of action of a second set of co acting belts marked 158 and 159, which belts form a part of a stripping mechanism. This stripping mechanism also includes a stripping blade 160 and cotiperating block 161 which are located within the space between theshafts 124 and 132, and a pair of drums 162 and 163, over which the belts 158 and 159 respectively run. The blade 160 is mounted in a fixed position but may be adjusted vertically by means of adjusting screws 164 in a well-known manner.

The block 161 is polygonal in cross section so that any one of its many sides may be presented. to the knife as desired. The block is supported and carried by two arms 165 which are pivoted to a bar 166 extending across the machine and mounted in brackets 167. These arms carry uprights 168 to which are bolted a series of weights 169 in the shape of flat bars extending across the machine. weights is to hold the block 161 down upon a stalk passing through the machine while 7 the blade 160 scrapes the under side of the stalks. It is obvious that the number. of weights may be varied at will to vary the pressure exerted by the block 161 upon the stalk.

lVhile the butt ends of a set of stalks ad- The function of these vanced by the co-acting belts 119 and 120 are being projected from the shafts 124 and 132 into the range of action of the co-acting belts 158 and 1 59, the block 161 must be moved out of the path of movement of the 70 carried by one of the main operating chains .39. The shaft 171 is further provided with a pair of arms 174, each of which is pivoted to one end of an adjustable connecting link. 175. The other end of each connecting link is pivoted at 176 to one of the arms 165 before referred to. The shaft 171 is further provided with an arm 177 which is adapted to be' swung down to a position immediately over a bowl 178 mounted upon the end of an arm 17 9 fast upon a shaft 181 extending across the machine and journaled in suitable brackets 182 bolted to the main frame of the machine. The shaft 181 is further provided with two pairs of arms 180 each carrying .a contact plate 183 adapted for, engagement with one of the hooks 70 at theproper time to break the toggle formed by the arm 174 and conof any broken fibers which may adhere after a stripping operation, there is provided a blade clearing device including a plate 188 secured to a lever 189 which lever is fulcrumed at 190 to a bracket 191 rising from the frame of the machine. he lever 189 has a depending arm 192 in the path of movement of a ram 193 mounted upon the shaft 171 before referred to. As the shaft 171 is rotated to raise the block 161 from the knife 169, tl e cam 193 strikes and moves the arm of the lever 189 and moves the plate 188 away from the blade 160. This results in throwing off any fibers which may have been adhering to the blade. The action of this device is clearly shown in Fig. 17 in which the parts are shown in position to permit the passage of a stalk indicated at 19 1 between the blade 160 and the block 161.

It will be readily understood that when the butt ends of a set of stalks has been advanced from the belts 119 and 120 into the range of action of the co-acting belts 158 and 159, the hooks will engage the contact plate 183 and rock the arms 179 and 180, which action will cause the bowl 178 to kick the arm 177 upward and break the toggle formed by the arm 17% and connecting link 175 thereby releasing the weighted arms 165 and the block 161 so that the block may drop upon the upper .surfaces of the stalks. It would be very undesirable to have the block 161 drop upon the stalk with full force due to the great weight carried by the arms 165 bemuse there would be danger of the blade 160 severing the fibers. To guard against such action there are provided two retarding devices, one on either side of the machine, and each including a cylinder 195 (see Figs. 13 and 16) bored in a casting 196 supported by the main frames of the machine. 'ihiscylinder is provided with a pet cook 19'? controlling the outflow of air from the cylinder and with aninlet valve 198 which is balanced by a spring 199 lying between the valve 198 and an adjusting screw 209. The tension of the spring is adjusted by means of an adjusting screw 200 provided with a lock nut 201, the screw being threaded in a bracket 202 screwed or otherwise fastened to the casting 196. Wlthin the cylintiou extending downwardly from the arm 165 and upright 168 which carry the block "61 .L 0

These shafts and idlers are duplicates of the shafts 12st and 132 and idlers 1 1-3 and 146 before described in detail and'the mountings for said shafts and idlers'are the same as the mountings for the similar shafts and 'lCllQTS The (Jo-acting belts 158 and 159 run' over. idle shafts 201 and 208 and are provided with tightening idlers'209 and 210.

beforedescribed. A detailed description of the shafts and idlers for the belts 158 and 159 is therefore omitted in the interest of brevity. The drum 168 is mounted upon a shaft 211 and the drum 162 is mounted upon a shaft 212. The shaft 211 carries a sprocket 213 over which runs a chain 214 which chain runs over a sprocket 215 fast on a short shaft 216 similar in all respects to the short shaft 151 and driven in the same manner.

The mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 217 in Figs. 3 and 1 is an exact duplicate of the stripping mechanism just described and a detailed description thereof is omitted in the interest of brevity.

The mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 218 in Figs. 3 and 4t and the mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 219 in Figs. 5, 6 and 18 has the stripping mechanism previously de scribed and a detailed description of those parts described therein is omitted in the interest of brevity.

The mechanism indicated generally by the reference characters 218 and 219 are intend ed and adapted to scrape the pulpy matter from that side of the fiber stalks not scraped by the first two stripping mechanisms. In the third and fourth stripping mechanisms therefore, the block marked 220 (Fig. 18) is mounted in fixed position and the stripping blade 221 is mounted upon arms 222 fulcrumed on a bar 223 extending across the machine and journaled in suitable brackets 22st bolted to the machine frame. Cooperating with the blade 221 is a clearing plate 225 which is secured to one arm of a bellcrank lever 22G-227 which is fu'lcrumed on a bar 228 journaled in a bracket 229, which bracket is secured to an angle iron 230 extending across the machine and supported by the main frame thereof. The bracket has a depending lug 229 through which a bolt 229 is passed. This bolt also passes through the arm 226 and beyond the same is provided with a tension spring 281 and a pair'of adjusting nuts of ordinary construe tion. The arm 227 of the bell-crank lever is bolted to a fork 232, which fork is bolted to an eye bolt 233 threaded into the lowermost weight 234 of the stack carried by the arms As the blade 221 is raised to permit the passage of a set of stalk butts between it and the block 220, the plate 225 is swung outwardly from the blade, thereby throwing off any broken fibers which may be adhering to the blade afteran earlier stripping operation.

' The stripping operation indicated generally by the reference character 217 includes co-acting belts 235 and 236. Similarly, the stripping mechanism indicated generally "by the reference character 218 includes co-actirng belts 287 and 238. Similarly, the stripping mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 219 includes co-acting belts 239 and 240. The drive for the belts 235 and 236 is exactly the same as the drive for the belts 158 and 159 which has been hereinbefore described in detail. The drive for the belts 237 and 238 is similar to the drive for the belts 158 and 159 and for the belts 235 and 236 except that the driving chain 241 for the belt 238 is located upon the opposite side of the machine. The drive for the belts 239 and 2&0 is upon the same side of the machine as the drive for the belts 237 and 238 and includes a chain 242 which de-.

rives its motion from a shaft 2 13 (Figs. 5 and 6) 'journaled in the lower part of the main frame of the machine and deriving its motion directly from the main operating chains 39 of the machine, as clearly indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. The main operating chains 7 39 run over sprockets 24-1 fast upon the main power shaft 2520f the machine. This shaft is provided with a pulley 245 driven by a belt 246 which belt derives its motion from any suitable source of power.

For the purpose of supporting the return runs of the main operating chains 39, there are provided idle sprockets 247 (Figs. 2 and 4) fixed upon shafts 248, which shafts are journaled in bearings 2 19 bolted to the machine frame. F or the purpose of removing any pulpy matter adhering to any of the coacting belts, a series of brushes 250 is provided. These brushes are mounted upon brackets 251 supported by the main frame of the machine.

The several sets of co-acting belts may in certain constructions be run at equal speeds.

In certain other constructions the belts 158 and 159 may be run at a speed slightly lower than the speed of the co-aeting belts 119 and 120 which deliver stalks to the belts 158 and 159. Similarly, the co-acting belts 235 and.

236 may be run at a lower speed than the belts 158 and 159. Similarly, the co-acting belts 237 and 238 may be run at a speed slightly lower thanthat of the belts 235 and 236. And finally, the co-acting belts 239 and 240 may be run at a speed slightly lower than that of the belts 237 and 238. This differential speed of the sets of co-acting belts may be accomplished by slightly of the invention and is therefore omitted in the interest of brevity and clearness.

Changes and variations may be made in the structure by means o-fwhich the invention is carried into effect. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the pre cise details of the structure shown and described.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. In a defibrating machine, the combination with a traveling feed device sub-divided and adapted to support and advance a plurality of sets of stalks the butts of each set being in transverse alinement, of a stripping mechanism comprising a stripping blade and cooperating block and a pair of co-acting travelingbelts adapted to seize and forward thestalks beyond the blade and block, and operating connections whereby the sets of stalks are successively presented to the stripping mechanisms.

2. In a defibrating machine, the combination with a traveling feed device sub-divided and adapted to support and advance a plurality of sets of stalks the but-ts of "eachset being in transverse alinement, of a stripping mechanism comprising a stripping blade and cooperating block and a pair of co-acting traveling belts adapted to seize and forward the stalks beyond the blade and block, yielding means for holding the coacting runs of the belts together, and operating connections whereby the sets of stalks are successively presented to the stripping mechanism.

3. In a defibratingmachine', the combination witha traveling feed device sub-divided and adapte'dto support and advance a plurality of sets of stalks the butts of each set fbeingflin" transverse alinement, of a stripping mechanism comprising a stripping blade and cooperating block and a pair of co-acting traveling belts adapted to seize and forward the stalks-beyond the blade and block one of said belts running over spring pressed pulleys, and operating connections whereby the sets of stalks are successively presented to the stripping mechanism.

4. In a defibrating machine,the combination with a traveling feed device sub-divided and adapted to support and advance a plurality of sets of stalks the butt-s of each set being in transverse alin'ement, of a plurality of stripping mechanisms each comprising a stripping blade and cooperating block and a pair of co-acting travelin belts adapted to seize and forward stalks beyond the blade and block at least one of said'blades being arranged to scrape one side of the stalk fibers and at least one other blade being arranged to scrape the opposite side of the stalk fibers, and operating connections whereby the sets of stalks are successively presented to the stripping mechanisms.

5. In a defibrating machine, the combination-with a traveling feed device sub-divided and adapted to support and advance a plurality of sets of stalks the butts of each set being in transverse alinement, of a plurality of stripping mechanisms each comprising a stripping blade and cooperating block and a pair of co-acting belts adapted to seize and forward stalks beyond the blade and block the speed of the co-acting belts of the differentstripping mechanisms being different, and operating connections whereby the sets of stalks are successively presented to the stripping mechanisms.

6. In a. defibrating machine, the combination with a traveling feed device subdivided and adapted to support and advance a plurality of sets of stalks the butts of each set being in transverse alinement, of a plurality of stripping mechanisms each comprising a stripping blade and cooperating block and a pair of co-acting belts adapted to seize and forward stalks beyond the blade and block the speed of the co-acting belts of the stripping mechanisms decreasing progressively as stalks are forwarded throughsaid mecha nisms, and operating connections whereby the sets of stalks are successively presented to the stripping mechanisms.

7. In a defibrating machine, the combination with a pair of operating chains running at equal speeds, of a stripping mechanism comprising a pair of co-acting forwarding belts and a cooperating blade and block, operating connections for throwing the blade and block out of action while the butt of a stalk is passing the blade andblock, and means carried by the chain and adapted to engage and operate said connections at regular intervals.

8. In a defibrating machine, the combination with a pair of operating chains running at equal speeds, of a plurality of stripping mechanisms each comprising a pair of coacting forwarding belts and a cooperating blade and block, means whereby the co-acting forwarding belts of the different stripping mechanisms are driven at different speeds, operating connections for throwing the blades and blocks of the stripping mech anisms successively out of action while the butt of a stalk is passing said blades and blocks, and means carried by the chain and adapted to successively engage and operate said connections at regular intervals.

9. in a defibra ing machine, the combination with a pair of operating chains running at equal speeds, of a plurality of strip ping mechanisms each comprising a pair of coacting forwarding belts and a co'ciperating blade and block, means whereby the coacting forwarding belts of the different stripping mechanisms are driven at different speeds, operating connections for throwing the blades and blocks of the stripping mechanisms successively out of action while the butt of a stalk is passing said blades and blocks, and hooks carried by the chains and adapted to successively engage and operate said connections at regular intervals.

10. In a defibrating machine, the combination with a pair of operating chains running at equal speeds, of a plurality of stripping mechanisms each comprising a pair of co-acting forwarding belts and a cooperating blade and block, means whereby the coacting forwarding belts of the dili'erentstripping mechanisms are driven at different speeds, operating connections for thrmving the blades and blocks of the stripping mechanisms successively out of action while the butt of a stalk is passing said blades and blocks, and depending hooks pivoted to the chain and adapted to successively engage and operate said connections at regular intervals.

11. In a defibrating machine, the combination with two sets of co-acting forwarding belts arranged in tandem and spaced apart, of a cooperating stripping blade and block located between said sets of belts, one of said sets of belts operating to push the butt end of a stalk forwarded between the operating runs of its belts past the blade and block and into the range of action of the other set of belts.

12. In a defibrating machine, the combination with two sets of co-acting forwarding belts arranged in tandem and spaced apart, of a cooperating blade and block located between said sets of belts, one of said sets of belts running at a definite speed and operating to push the butt end of a stalk for warded between the operating runs of its belts past the blade and block and into the range of action of the other set of belts which runs at a slower speed than the first set of belts whereby excessive tension upon the fibers of the stalk is avoided.

13. In a defibrating machine, the combination with a cooperating stripping blade and block, of a pair of co-acting belts adapted to seize and forward a stalk, operating chains driving the belts, a toggle mechanism operative to separate the blade and block to permit the passage of the butt end of a stalk between said blade and block and into the range of action of the co-acting belts, means carried by the operating chains and adapted to engage the toggle mechanism to throw the same into action, and means for breaking the toggle after the butt end of the stalk has passed the blade and block to permit the blade and block to engage the stalk.

14. In a defibrating machine, the combination with a cooperating stripping blade and block, of a pair of co-acting belts adapted to seize and forward a stalk, operating chains driving the belts, a toggle mechanism operative to separate the blade and block to permit the passage of the butt end of a stalk between said blade and block and into the In testimony whereof, I have signed my '1 name to thisspecificat-ion in the presence of-lO tWo subscrlblng Witnesses. I

JOHN A. ALLEN.

range of action of the co-acting belts, and hooks pivoted to the operating chains and adapted to engage the toggle mechanism to throw the same into action, and means for breaking the toggle after the butt end of the stalk has passed the blade and block to perlfgit the blade and block to engage the stal Witnesses: V

SYDNEY J. PRESCOTT, ELIZABETH LOUISE RUSSELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

